Child Brides of India

By: C. Stanton Leman

Chapter 90: A change of Seasons Begins (MFFfg, rom, no sex)

I woke at six with Miko cradled in my arms the same as we’d fallen asleep. I was still cupping her small breast with her hand holding me in place. My three wives walked in, saw us and quietly came to sit on the bed. Feeling the bed move when Priya sat down, Miko awoke, smiling softly with a sigh.

Priya asked politely, “Sleep well, Sister?”

“The best!” Miko replied with a smile.

She noticed my hand on her breast and embarrassed, blushed then pulled it away with, “Ahem, sorry ‘bout that.”

The girls giggled and Monaavi asked jokingly, “That’s quite okay, was the letch a good boy last night?”

Miko giggled and answered, “He was a big cuddly teddy bear.”

“Cuddly teddy bear?” Priya asked in mock surprise, “That’s not the Sean we know, is it girls?”

“I’ll have you know,” I extolled proudly, “I was a perfect gentleman.”

“Does a gentleman hold a girl’s booby?” The little snot asked.

“A little smart ass aren’t you,” I scolded.

“Uh,” Miko admitted with a blush, “That was my idea.”

“A perfect gentleman,” Monaavi observed, “would have moved his hand.”

“Alright,” I admitted, “maybe I wasn’t perfect.”

“Come on you love birds,” Priya ordered, “Out of bed. We’ve got to say prayers.”

“I don’t suppose you two are gonna shower together,” Leeya smugly asked, “Are you?”

“No,” Miko replied as she looked at me out of the corner of her eye with a cute smile, “not yet.”

We two lovebirds got up and Miko put on her robe and left with Leeya. With Miko gone, Priya and Monaavi left to get ready for prayers. After prayers and at the breakfast table, things were quiet, knowing that Miko was leaving shortly after we ate.

When breakfast was finished and we stood to leave the table, Miko ran to my mother and began sobbing in her arms.

“Momma!” Miko cried, “I don’t want to leave! This is where I belong and going back to my old life is so painful.”

“Shush,” Mom comforted, “you’re not going back to your old life, Sweetie, you’re preparing for a new one. It won’t be long until you’re here and having to help raise four girls along with dealing with three sisters and putting up with the letch — and work! Don’t do this to yourself, Miko, I know this is the scariest part: it’s just within your reach and it’s hard waiting for the dream to materialize.”

“You’re right, Momma,” Miko sniffled. “It’s just that leaving, even for a little while is so hard.”

“I know, Sweetie,” Mom reassured. “Fill your time with getting things ready, and before you know it, you’ll be wearing that kimono and making your vows. Now, get your little butt over there and spend some time with your family. Go! Git!”

Miko sniffled a giggle as Mom scooted her away with a love swat on the butt. She came to the girls and they embraced in a group hug.

“Come on, girls,” Monaavi said, “Let’s get our sister some veils to wear. She might as well get used to them now.”

“Wait,” Priya asked forcefully. “Sit down, Miko, there’s something you should know.”

They sat at the table and Priya began to explain, “Miko, once you put a veil on, you may have to endure stares and some people’s prejudice. Your friends at work may suddenly back away and maybe even shun you. You need to be prepared for this and understand that it’s people’s ignorance that they shy away from and not you personally. Most Americans are very understanding and tolerant of other faiths and cultures but with the world as it is today, you may encounter some hostility. This is an added pressure that you need to be aware of and are ready to deal with. We must always return people’s fear with an understanding smile and show people by our example that we are good people. Can you do this?”

“Priya,” Miko sighed, “my course in life has been chosen. I never thought about what you just said but can understand it fully. Many people are prejudiced against Asians also, so I know exactly what you mean. Come to think of it, my co-workers will probably see my ring because of the veil, but no matter. I accept what is to become a part of my life and am happy with it. Now, are you gonna teach me how to wear a veil?”

“Okay then,” Priya said with a reassuring smile, “let’s get you some veils.”

All four went upstairs to give Miko some veils and instructions. About an hour later, they returned giggling and joking among themselves. Miko now wore a white veil loosely wrapped around her head and holding about six others in her hands, which she put in her bag. I could see the hair on the sides of her face but none in the back. She wore it like a fashionable scarf.

Upon seeing her Mom quipped, “See, I told you, you weren’t leaving here unless you were ringed and veiled!”

Priya abruptly asked, “Oh! I almost forgot, are you on birth control?”

Miko blushed and answered, “No, I’ve not had a reason to be. My periods are regular and I haven’t had a relationship for a long time so it wasn’t necessary.”

“Well,” Priya instructed, “Call Dr. Simpson. He knows about our family lifestyle and is treating all of us.”

“I’ll call tomorrow and make an appointment but it’ll be strange working with him and him knowing about my lifestyle.” Miko replied.

“I’m have a feeling,” Monaavi noted, “he’ll be very happy for you.”

“I have an idea,” I offered, “since I don’t know where you live, why don’t I follow you home and you can show me your place?”

“Why don’t we all go?” Leeya added. “It’ll be fun to see where Miko lives, don’t cha think?”

Well?” I asked with a raised eyebrow, “Want to give us all a tour?”

“Hai,” Miko answered. “It’s not fancy like here, but it’s my home and it’s comfortable for me.”

“How come you never spoke Japanese in the hospital?” Leeya asked.

“I don’t know,” Miko replied. “I’ve always separated my personal and professional lives. At work, I speak strictly English because my job requires communication with patients in their native tongue. In private, I’m Japanese and have always spoken Japanese at home. I guess I feel safe enough with all of you to be myself and express my Japanese self.”

“It’s almost noon,” Priya observed,” we’d better get going don’t you think?”

“Sean,” Miko asked, “may I have a couple of photos of all of you? I’d like one of you, one of my sisters and one of my future children I can frame for home and one of you I can carry in my wallet. When people see my ring, they’ll definitely want to see a photo of my fiancé.”

“Sure,” I joked, “dressed, in boxers or just my birthday suit.”

“Dressed I think,” Miko teased demurely. “My sisters said that you were phallically challenged.”

“Phallically challenged?” I laughed and said. “They did, did they? Well I guess you’ll have to find the answer to that one on your own”

Leeya was standing behind me shaking her head no and extended her fingers about seven or eight inches apart. Miko leaned a bit to look behind me at Leeya, bit her lip and said with a smirk, “Oops!”

“Oops is right,” Monaavi giggled, “Armed and dangerous is more like it.”

“Maybe I should study Bushido,” Miko remarked.

“What’s that?” asked Leeya.

“The warrior code of the samurai,” Miko answered. “Should I buy a katana or perhaps keep a diasho under my pillow.”

“What the heck are you talking about, Miko” Monaavi asked,

“I’m sorry,” Miko replied, “Just some Japanese black humor. A katana is what you call a samurai sword and a diasho is a small version of the katana used for seppuku or hari-kiri.”

“No need for all that,” I remarked, “if there’s going to be any impaling done, I’ll use my own katana, no need to buy one.”

“Alright everyone,” Priya mediated, “enough about swords and impaling. I’m sure we can all agree that when the time comes, Sean will put his katana in Miko’s sheath and she’ll love him doing it. Now, are we goin’ to Miko’s or not?”

“Let’s get the photos first,” I answered, “Then we can be on our way.”

Returning inside, I printed off the photos Miko requested, putting them in a cardboard mailer for protection. She took the wallet photo, put it in her wallet and soon we were ready to go. Miko tearfully bade the children goodbye one at a time with a hug and a kiss and turned to my mother. They embraced tearfully for several minutes, Miko not wanting to part.

“I miss you already,” Miko cried. “There’s nothing more reassuring to a girl than her mother,”

”Miko,” Mom answered, “you and your mother honor me and I’m thankful you feel this way about me. Now go, go do what you need to do and we’ll take this journey together. If you need anything, anything at all, call me. I’ll be here for you.”

Mom kissed her sweetly and said, “I love you, Sweetie, now go. You’ve got things to do. By the way, you look very lovely in your veil. It adds a hint of mystery to you.”

“Thank you, Momma,” Miko replied, “I love you too. I’ll call you, okay?”

“Sure, anytime day or night,” Mom answered.

Miko bade Dad, Adib and Salima goodbye with a hug and a kiss and got in her car. We got in the navigator and followed her out the drive. We drove about forty minutes to an upscale apartment complex in an area called the Willows of Ruxton about ten minutes north of GBMC.

The area had a rustic country setting although heavily populated with large, expensive homes. Getting out of the cars Miko cheerfully said, “Well, here we are, this is where I live. Let’s go, I live on the second floor.”

We followed her up the stairs to her apartment door. She opened the door, stepped inside and removed her shoes. Doing the same as we stepped inside, we were amazed at her home. It looked like we were transported half a world away to Japan.

The apartment had hardwood floors that were overlaid with Tatami mats. Her furniture had an oriental motif with a unique looking five-foot high, four-panel Soji screen room divider that’s popular here in the U.S. separating the dining room from the living room. It had a walnut finish with white silk-screen rice paper panels but what made it unique was a shelf about four feet off the floor with oriental pottery in between the folded panels.

In the corner of the living room sat a sleek computer desk with a hi-end computer, flat screen monitor and multifunction printer. On one wall hung a flat screen TV with a small, sleek, entertainment center underneath. In the bedroom was a Queen sized Tatami bed with oriental spread and pillows flanked by matching nightstands with oriental lamps on top. Her apartment was meticulously clean, simple yet peacefully elegant.

Setting her bag on the bed, Miko turned with a blushing smile and with open arms said, “Well, this is home. What do you think?”

“It’s beautiful!” Priya remarked.

“Amazing!” Monaavi added.

“Peacefully elegant,” I voiced my approval.

“I really like it,” Leeya put in. “Can I stay here with you?”

“It would be quite lonely here when I’m at work,” Miko replied. “Besides, you’ve got classes, remember?”

“Come on,” Miko requested as she headed to the kitchen, “let me put on some tea.”

As we sat and drank tea, Priya asked, “How do you think you’ll be received at work?”

“I’m not sure,” Miko answered, “but I’ll find out tonight when I go in.”

”What time to you have to be in?” I asked.

“My shift starts at eleven,” Miko answered, “But I’ve got to be there a half hour early for pre-shift conference.”

“We’d better go soon,” I said as I drank my tea, “You need to get some rest. You’ve got a long night ahead of you.”

“I’m too excited to sleep,” Miko giggled. “I’ll probably go online and start looking for my uchikake. I’ll lie down later for a while and rest.”

“Give me your cell,” I asked, “And I’ll put our numbers in your phone while I’m thinking about it.”

She gave me her phone and talked to the girls while I programmed her phone. I told her I’d be getting her a new phone so she wouldn’t have to pay for this one any longer.

After I’d finished, Priya said that we should be going. We rose to leave and the girls went to the car so Miko and I could say goodbye in private.

At the door, Miko wrapped her arms around me crying and said, “I love you, Sean, more than anything in the world! I miss you already and I’m still in your arms.”

“I know how you feel,” I answered choked up a little. “I don’t want to let you go either. This is really hard.”

“I’ll be fine,” she reassured me. “Go home to our family and give them my love. Now kiss me you fool and let me get on with things.”

“Speaking of nature,” I observed, “It feels like it’s raining.”

“I know,” she quietly agreed with her head against my chest, “But the rain brings forth new life and with it, the dawn of a new season. The spring of our life is at hand and it will soon blossom in all its glory. The cherry blossoms will burst forth, the water lily and lotus will bloom and we’ll revel in the fragrance of our love. You are my strength, Sean. Your love has given me the strength to come forth from the pain of a long and cold season to burst out awaking in full bloom. Go now, before I can’t let you go.”

As we both wept at parting, I kissed Miko with incredible passion. As we kissed, I could hear the wind softly rustling through the trees. We broke the kiss, held each other for a moment and I felt her tiny hand slid down my arm as I turned and left. I stopped, turned and looked back. Miko stood in the doorway, smiled lovingly and slowly closed the door.

The ride home was a quiet one. Everyone in the car felt a loss not having Miko among us. It’s strange how one’s life can seem complete, and then someone walks in and life never seems the same again. When we got home, I picked up my tiny chocolate princess and took a walk.

Malina was sleeping and as I held her on my shoulder, I cupped her tiny foot in my hand as I’d done years ago with Tina and like then, my baby rewarded me by wiggling her tiny little toes on my palm. I immediately began to weep at the multitude of my blessings. Despite my predilection, my torment over lusting for something that was wrong, God had forgiven me as He’d forgiven Miko. He has showered His love on me with more love than I deserved.

I thought about how much alike the people of the world are… American, Indian and Japanese, doesn’t matter. We longed for the same things in our hearts and endured the same pains and longing for love. We all felt the effects of mistakes made and their consequences. We sought the love and forgiveness of our God and His grace to carry us during times of trial and pain. If we’re all so much alike, why can’t we get along? Why are there prejudice, hate and war? Why can’t we see the beauty in our differences? Each of my wives (and I included Miko) whether brown, honey or yellow and white display a beauty unique and all their own. God has surrounded Himself with the beauty of variety of His creatures and He’s allowed me to see a glimpse of that.

I knew, as if by premonition that Miko was probably lying on her bed crying, pining to be with me, in my arms, safe from the reminders of loneliness that surrounded her in her apartment. I pined with her as did her sisters for the time when we’d be together again.

I was surrounded by life, having four daughters that would one day issue forth their own children and continue the renewing of the seasons. Miko’s explanation of the dance of love as a mirror of nature seemed so soothing as if that’s the way it was meant to be: not bars, word games and lust but a soft, gentle dance like the trees bowing to the wind.

I again thought of my mother… direct, abrasive and bawdy at times, but always gentle, loving and wise; and above all, a lover of God. I felt so blessed to have her. All the wisdom she’s imparted to me in six years could fill a library on the precepts of life. She gave her love to all that needed it and it seemed she had an endless supply to give. I felt so proud that many have called her mother.

Returning to the house, I put Malina to bed sat with my family and talked. It seemed we all felt an emptiness in not having our little lotus blossom with us: she had stolen our hearts.

After dinner and prayers, Monaavi and I settled into bed. Monaavi, as reflective as I, talked as we cuddled of our new family and Miko. The past two days made her reflect upon the time when our love was new with the anticipation of consummating our love. She said that seeing Miko unfold like a rose spreading it petals was like reliving her own life before her very eyes.

A little after midnight, my cell phone rang. I flipped it open with a hello.

“Sean?” I heard Miko say. “Can you talk a moment? I mean, it’s not too late is it?”

“No, Sweetheart,” I assured. “What’s up?”

“Oh Sean,” Miko exclaimed, “they saw my ring! Everyone’s so happy for me! As soon as they saw me come in with my veil on, Cathy saw my ring and blurted out “You’re engaged!” Now, the whole ward knows! I’m just so happy I could bust!”

I laughed at her little girl excitement and replied, “I’m happy that you’re happy! What’d they say?”

“OHMYGOD!” Miko hyperventilated, “Where to start! First, they asked why I was wearing a veil and I told them you were Muslim. They didn’t even flinch! When they saw my ring, their eyes just bugged out! Now, I’m getting a million questions about everything. I showed them your picture and they practically creamed saying you’re such a hunk! Half the nurses are standing here listening. They wanna know how much the ring cost but I wouldn’t say. Wait a minute: here, Cindy wants to talk to you.”

“Sean?” Cindy said. “this is Cindy.”

“Hi, Cindy,” I answered politely, “what’s up?”

“Oh, hi,” she answered. “Uh, can I ask you a silly question?”

“Shoot,” I replied.

“Miko’s ring is absolutely stunning,” she said excitedly, “and we were wondering, um how much was it?”

“If you girls must know,” I answered, “it was in the neighborhood of nineteen-three.”

“Oh… My… God!” I heard her gasp. “Hey girls, Miko’s got a fortune on her hand: nineteen thousand dollars worth!”

“Uh,” Cindy stuttered, “One last question: what do you do for a living?”

“I’m CEO,” I revealed, “of an international software firm.”

“EEEEEEEK!” Cindy shrieked into the phone, “A hunk and rich! I can’t stand it, here, Miko, you talk!”

“Hey, Sweetheart,” I asked, “think you girls will deliver any babies tonight or just swoon over your ring and my job?”

“Both!” she exclaimed. “It’s a slow night: only three deliveries. I love you so much I can’t stand it!”

“What,” I joked, “does that mean you’re breaking it off?”

“Oh silly!” she retorted, “You know what I mean.”

Cupping the phone, Miko whispered, “Could you come by tomorrow morning and kiss me on your way to work, they don’t believe you’re as good looking as your picture.”

“You girls like to strut don’t you?” I asked jokingly. “Priya did the same thing. Sure, I’ll come by early: what time, about eight?”

“Uh huh,” she confirmed, “Bye, gotta go and check Mrs. Gilbert.”

“Bye now,” I concluded. “See you at eight. Love ya.”

“Love ya more!” Miko squealed. Click.

“Miko, right?” Monaavi guessed with a giggle. “She sounded a little excited, I guess everyone knows.”

“In spades,” I confirmed. “My presence is requested at eight am tomorrow for display.”

“Girls will be girls,” Monaavi chuckled. “Let her strut a little: it’s good for the ego.”

“Yeah I guess,” I agreed, “Women: just don’t understand ‘em.”

“Don’t have to,” Monaavi quipped with a kiss on the cheek, “just enjoy them.”

“Hmmmm,” I thought out loud, “Pluck her little lotus flower…”

“Down, Letch,” Monaavi scolded. “Come on. Hold your leaking cow to sleep.”

With that, we cuddled up and went to sleep. I arose early and readied myself for inspection, putting on a navy blue pin striped suit. We said prayers early and after a cup of coffee and some toast I was off. I arrived at the hospital at seven forty-five and parked in the temporary parking.

Evidently, I was expected because when I went to the admitting desk, I got a coy smile and after calling the nurse’s station, was told to go back, they were expecting me.

I walked in and around the corner to the nurse’s station and the whole crew was there waiting, standing behind my little lotus blossom. Wanting to make a lasting impression, I walked up to Miko with a loving smile and wrapped my arms around her and laid a whopper on her.

As I kissed her, her legs about melted from under her as her co-workers gasped and swooned.

Breaking the kiss, I asked sexily, “Wanna become a patient here?”

“Mission control,” Miko replied blushing, reliving our seduction, “says all systems are go.”

“Well,” I replied with a grin as I kissed her nose, “I’d better get to work before my flight suit develops a leak.”

(Giggles).

“Bye now, love ya.” I said as I turned and waved goodbye.

“Bye,” Miko waved, “Call me later. Love ya more.”

“I’m at your beck and call,” I replied as I walked away with another wave.

Who said hospitals weren’t little Peyton Places? Wondering if I’d helped or hindered Miko’s cause, I figured that she asked for it so she can deal with it. At least they’d have something to talk about for a while.

Miko was the center of attention for a few days and then things settled back to real life. Miko told me that Dr. Simpson was surprised to learn that she was joining our family but was happy for her saying he felt we were a loving family.

Miko spent two days with us when her weekend came up and was narrowing down her kimono selections. She finally made a decision and ordered the one she wanted. All of the girls said it was stunning but wouldn’t give me a hint as to what it looked like. I Googled a few sites and got an idea of what an uchikake looked like: as they said: stunning!

Dad had called the builder and had a set of preliminary plans for the addition and was deciding on the final floor plan. It was estimated that they’d be completed work in September some time.

I got together with Dad and the builder to create a wedding surprise for Miko. None of my other wives were into flowers or gardens and things but Miko loved such things because of her culture. On the other side of the barn, cradled within some pines, they would design and install a Japanese garden complete with bonsai trees, cherry blossom trees, flowers and a Japanese style pagoda-like open gazebo jutting out over a koi pond with a trickling waterfall: just a place for her to go and bring back a piece of Japan. The builder gulped when I told him he had three weeks to complete it: cost wasn’t an issue. He subcontracted a firm from Minnesota that specialized in Japanese garden design to get the job done on time.

I contacted a Mosque, the Baltimore Masjid, and spoke to the Imam there and gave him a history of our family. He agreed to perform the ceremony according to Islamic law three weeks hence. Miko and I would be married the last week in June. I asked him about her wanting to wear Japanese wedding attire and he said that was fine, as long as it was modest. When he found out it was basically a fancy kimono, he was fine with it. It’s also permissible for a Muslim man to marry a Christian because Islam considers them to be a member of “The Book:” each faith believing in the God of Abraham.

Miko, as with all brides, was giddy with anticipation of her wedding day and was spending every free moment she could with her sisters. What in the world do girls do for hours anyway besides titter and giggle?

She also took time from her plans to make sure she spent time with each of her soon-to-be daughters. She’d help Tina and Tiya study, play tag or hide-n-seek with the twins and either bath or feed Malina. She worked hard to earn her way into the hearts of my children with her time and attention.

Because of both the difficulty and complexity of putting on a kimono correctly, Miko enlisted the aid of her Japanese girlfriend Keiko. Keiko would help her get dressed, and because the wedding kimono is so long, assist her in walking.

When we went through the various parts of the ceremony, Miko was worried that being bound in a kimono, she might have problems sitting on the floor for the pillow ceremony portion but said she would manage if she sat with her legs folded to one side.

Ours would be a very small, private ceremony, with only my family present from my side and Miko only invited three people she knew that she trusted to keep her confidence, Keiko being one of them. Having said that, she was happy to have a simple wedding.

Miko had been calling her mother once a week and her mother expressed extreme sorrow at not being able to attend. Miko told her that we’d hired a professional photographer to tape the entire ceremony and that she would send her a tape secretly through one of her mother’s friends. Over the course of her conversations, Miko revealed the true nature of our family and her mother seemed skeptical at first but after continued communication, her mother came to understand why Miko had chosen this path in life and was happy for her.

My mother and all my wives had spoken to Miko’s mom, whom we found out was named Jun, and she was reassured of Miko’s happiness. Jun thought it a little funny that Miko would suddenly become a mother to four young girls and an aunt to another.

Jun became endeared to Leeya because of her age. She told of years ago, in ancient Japan, where young girls were married off because their families could no longer afford to feed them. She was greatly impressed with Leeya’s maturity and sensitivity and sense of devotion to her married life and the love she carried for me. Me, I was happy that Miko had re-established her relationship with her mother and that Jun knew the whole truth.

The week before the wedding, Miko presented me with my attire: a black kimono, a five-crested black shirt–type garment called a haori, and a long grey pleated skirt-type garment called a hakama with white socks and wooden sandals. When the women saw I’d be wearing a skirt, they giggled at the fact and reminded me to wear clean underwear. Of course I had to model the outfit and learn how to put it on, which was good for a laugh in itself.

Several nights a week I would leave work and have dinner with Miko at the hospital when she worked and several times at her apartment where she’d fix simple Japanese dishes such as sushi, raumen noodle or miso soup. Miko was a very meticulous cook where presentation meant as much to her as taste.

Sometimes she would dazzle me while sitting together playfully as I watched her make origami flowers or birds. She said her grandmother taught her as a child. I was amazed and in awe that her culture had, through the centuries been the creator of such beauty from a simple piece of paper and the rich customs such as the complicated tea ceremony. Every aspect of life had a protocol and ritual to follow from the length of a single girl’s sleeves in public to the way she walked and moved. It was fascinating.

On Saturday, three days before the wedding, two things happened. First, the contractor installing the Japanese garden almost gave it away when he knocked on the door as we were beginning to eat lunch to tell me the garden was finished and wanted me to inspect his work while Miko was with us having lunch.

Then, as we were finishing lunch, there came a knock on the door and what happened next brought Miko to her knees in tears…